Wrightbus to cut 125 jobs amid pandemic

CO Antrim manufacturer Wrightbus has announced up to 125 job losses as it looks to create a “stable and secure future” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief executive Buta Atwal said up to 35 permanent employees were being made redundant at the Ballymena firm pending consultation.

And 90 agency workers will be let go over phases, which are to be kept under review. Mr Atwal said the move was vital to “secure a stronger future” for the business.

Around 575 staff will remain after the redundancies.

It’s also urging politicians to support its drive to produce 3,000 hydrogen buses in the next four years.

North Antrim DUP MP Ian Paisley said it was disappointing news.

“There are obvious fears about the longer-term impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the wider

Northern Ireland economy and that such redundancies will escalate in the future,” he said.

“Specifically within bus manufacturing, there is action the Government can take to assist. If they brought forward the much-needed hydrogen bus strategy for the UK it could be transformative for the wider transport sector.”

Sinn Fein MLA Philip Mcguigan said: “This will have a major impact on the local economy in Ballymena and North Antrim at a time when many are already under great financial strain as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

George Brash, regional officer at trade union Unite, said the job losses were “profoundly regrettable” and that the union hoped some workers could be furloughed instead of being let go.

“Every job lost is a heavy blow for the individual concerned, their household, the wider community and economy, especially in the face of the current Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

“Ahead of this announcement being made, I spoke to senior management to call on them to utilise the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme to protect jobs and retain skilled workers; the prospect of workers being thrown onto the dole queues at this time is unacceptable.

“Management confirmed they will be proceeding to a 30-day consultative period on their proposals but that they will consider furlough as an option. They sought to reassure us of their ambitions for Wrightbus in Ballymena and its centrality to their plans.”